[Lore] XXVII: The Mathosians

      The Mathosians are a clan of northern humans who banded together under prominent family lines such as Kalmar and Mathos, erecting a mighty and far reaching empire in the days following the disastrous fall of the Ethian Empire. The Mathosian tribes were the last humans to leave the sheltering embrace of the High Elven forests and learned much of honor, law, and justice from the High Elves as well as philosophy, spirituality, and art. Eventually, they left the forests of Tavra and ventured north into the harsh mountainous terrain of Telara. The Mathosian "Northmen" were warlike and strong. They battled each other, the Dwarves, and even against the Elves, and became well known for their ferocity and courage in battle. There weren't many who wished to venture into the cold northern regions, for fear of coming across a roving band of tribesmen, who would take any excuse to start a fight. Eventually though, the races sought peace with the warring Northmen. The Dwarves taught them metal and woodwork and the plans for large soaring edifices, and the Elves taught them the wonders of magic and arcane skill.
     After the fabled Ethian cities fell to the cultists, the southern tribes fell prey to abominable magics, cultists, and horrifying beasts of the desert, and they sent for aid from the proud Northmen in reclaiming the southern lands back from the dragon cults. The Mathosians, with the aid of the Dwarves, went south and made war with the tyrants and cultists. When the battles had finally been ended, instead of returning to their northern winds and frigid mountains, the Mathosians were given the honor of governing the lawless and chaotic southern lands that had been left bereft of leadership after the fall of the city-states. Any protestors to this were swiftly silenced, and so the Kingdom of Mathos was born, and their first king, Tored Mathos ruled the people with chivalry and fidelity. The kingdom was prosperous and far reaching. It boasted land as far south as what is now known as Freemarch, in which they took much pride. They honored Thedeor, the god of war, with fair battles and duels, as well as skirmishes along the border and great tourneys. For Bahralt, they built great shining cities in his name, free of the taint and corruption of magics and sourcestone machinery, the greatest of which was Port Scion. To honor Tavril, the goddess of nature, they left the forests alone except for the minimum requirement of wood required for progress on the kingdom, and would not plunder the sacred forest of Silverwood. In Thontic's name, they sent merchants far and wide to trade in distant lands, even as far as across the seas to exotic lands such as the famed Shi Ming. And to honor Mariel-Taun, the heart of the gods, they made peace and plenty, filling their cities with light and compassion and music.

     Through the centuries, the line of Mathos endured, strong and unbroken in their kingship of all Mathosia. Until the reign of King Jostir Mathos ended suddenly and abruptly. Before his demise, King Jostir named his eldest son and heir, Aedraxis Mathos, as the new king of Mathosia. Due to corruption in the court, and the betrayal of Aedraxis of the faith of his people, the younger brother, Zareph Mathos, then waged a bloody civil war against his brother for the throne. The people of Mathosia, having not known the dark truth of Aedraxis's fall into darkness, had at first sided with the kingdom against Prince Zareph in what became known as the Shade War, the darkest period in Telaran history since the Blood Storm Wars. Eventually, Aedraxis's corruption, brutality, and cruelty, as well as decisions such as lifting the ban on Sourcestone research as fuel, swayed the citizens of the kingdom toward joining Zareph. In a desperate attempt to avoid losing the kingdom to his brother, Aedraxis turned to the famous scientist and heretic, Orphiel Farwind, who had been the brothers' tutor when they were young. Orphiel had extensive knowledge of the ancient Ethian technomancy, including knowledge on magitech weaponry. Promising to provide funding into sourcestone technology as a way to improve every day conditions of life if he created powerful weapons of war, Aedraxis won Orphiel over to his side of the war and ruthlessly employed sourcestone technology against Zareph and his army in a bid to destroy them. In his eagerness, Aedraxis destroyed the Ward around Telara, letting in the planar forces. He called up a massive Death Rift over the battlefield and everyone was slain. But the Vigil sent their Messengers among the fallen and resurrected the heroes of the war as immortal Ascended, the chosen of the gods, and sent them back into battle against the forces of Aedraxis. Soon, the tide was turned and Aedraxis knew he had lost. In a last desperate bid to retain his power, he gave himself body and soul to Regulos the Destroyer, one of the dragon gods of the horrendous Blood Storm invaders. He used unholy magic to further weaken and fracture the Ward and drew a part of the Plane of Death itself into Telara. This event became known as the Shade.

     Thousands of lives were lost during the Shade War and the Kingdom of Mathos was sundered, its people scattered and broken and leaderless. The remaining forces retreated to Port Scion to continue waging war against the Endless Court, the cultists who follow Regulos, but were betrayed from within by a noble of the Mathosian court, Alsbeth Rothmann.

     When Sanctum became the headquarters for the famous Guardians-those that survived the fall of Port Scion as well as many heroes and adventurers from around Telara who flocked to the city in response to the call for aid-many Mathosians eagerly joined in the effort, voyaging to the shining city that stood out like a beacon from Silverwood. They proclaimed their new allegiance to Cyril Kalmar and the Vigil's Guardians, finding hope and restored faith in this new faction, as well as a chance to redeem their fair kingdom from the dark deeds of Aedraxis.

     Despite the tragedy that has befallen their kingdom, the Mathosians stay true to their roots, leading lives of honor and oath. They value justice, hard work, and honest combat, staying humble and pious in their determination to redeem themselves in the eyes of the Vigil for the destruction of the Ward. The Mathosians are a brave and stalwart people, loyal, steadfast and strong. They keep to a strict military code in order to maintain order after the fall of the kingdom. They revere the Vigil and seek to mend the evils done by the Endless Court as well as put a stop to the Blood Storm and the enemies of Telara.

Stats:

• Average Lifespan: 60 years
• Culture: Viking
• Homeland: Stillmore (and to a lesser extent, Iron Pine Peaks); the kingdom's center being the great fortress of Caer Mathos, named after their first king
• Leader: Cyril Kalmar
• Spirituality: Vigil Worship (emphasis on Thedeor)
• Favored Mount: Mountain Horse
• Known Families/Tribes: Rothmann, Wyvernjack, Waldemar, Valnir, Kalmar, Mathos
• Faction: Guardian

[Lore] XXIII: Thedeor

     This is the second entry in my Vigil lore pages. I've done Tavril and now I'll move on to Thedeor, god of the sword. Thedeor is the god of righteous war and honorable warriors. He values courage and an adventurer's spirit. If you bring victory, honorably gained, he will give you glory in this world and the next. If you run from a challenge like a coward, or fight dishonorably, you will anger him and woe to anyone who earns great Thedeor's wrath. Before the Vigil was formed to keep Telara safe, Thedeor was the patron god of the Mathosians. He saw in them everything he hoped to find in the mortal realm.

     The Mathosians were courageous, honorable, and proud. They lived by the warrior's code and followed Thedeor's ways. He taught them courage and the arts of war. Through his teachings, the Mathosians were able to survive as a people during the Age of Dragons and successfully make a home for themselves in the far north of Telara. In Thedeor's name they forged an empire and ruled it justly for an age. Thedeor carved the mighty mountains, sent the snows and etched valor upon the hearts of every man and woman to help them brave and survive the many dangers and harsh climates of Telara. Thedeor is also known as the god of storms.

     Thedeor teaches his followers that the strong must shield the weak until the weak themselves grow strong. He oversees all those that march to combat the threats to our world; the dragons, the elemental invaders, and the heathen Defiant. He bids the Guardians strike down tyrants and heed the counsel of gentler hearts in times of both plenty and strife. The famous and powerful Icewatch of Iron Pine Peaks dedicated their grand library to the god Thedeor, who loves wisdom and knowledge nearly as much as he loves war and combat. Thedeor b
lesses those who follow comrades into danger, who bravely protect those in danger, and those who can have a friendly sparring match before battle. In Sanctum, the Guardians have created just such a ground for sparring, called Thedeor's Circle. There, strong warriors clash, and steel against steel echoes with Thedeor's roaring laughter and every thrum of a bowstring rings in his hears like heavenly music.

    Within the Vigil itself, Thedeor makes a perfect balance against the cautious nature of Thontic and the kind and loving heart of Mariel-Taun. He serves as a fine focus and sharp edge to Tavril's unbridled and wild ferocity. Thedeor can be found in the hearts of those who brave the arcane winds of magic, those whose songs banish despair and bolster allies, and those who demand justice and peace among needless conflict and war. Without Thedeor, the Vigil would be honorable and true, but would be unable to find the right path, to be steadfast in the face of horror, to be able to fairly judge those in the wrong and face battle with bravery and courage. The Guardians would lose their righteousness and their unfailing courage. He shares with all the Guardians the glorious and terrifying certainty that their cause is just.

    "Thedeor is the sword; combat, warfare and the battlefield. He is struggle, duty, and the glory of triumph over adversity. All who go into battle venerate him for glorious, honorable victory. Stand forth and meet your enemy openly and honorably and he will bless you with righteous victory. Patron deity of the Mathosians, in them he placed his strength and resolve. But all people who fight for a just cause can call on him for guidance and courage. This covenant was broken by Aedraxis the Tyrant who turned from the gods and brought the Rifts to Telara with the heretical machines of the Defiant cowards."
                         ~~Light of Thedeor, Sanctuary

     "Be courageous! The faithful need your protection, the enemies of the Vigil deserve your wrath. You are Thedeor's sword."
                       ~~Messenger of Thedeor

     "...A letter from Cyril to the Chancel:
Your faith in great Thedeor is well placed, he is the sword of righteousness and the defender of truth. I do not ask you to abandon your faith to the most valiant of gods. I ask that you strengthen it. Those who draw strength from the Sword know the truth of this but dare not speak it: their communion with Thedeor has changed; he is distant, muted. Expand your faith to include the other gods of the Vigil and you will understand. Many have worshipped the gods together as a group throughout history. While different cultures and races would take a single deity as their patron, there was always the veneration of the other gods. A Mathosian Paladin, battle hardened, Chancel trained, would live his life by the code of Thedeor. But making an offering to Bahralt before entering a city or to Thontic before a long journey was commonplace. The five gods are themselves and they are one as the Vigil. As Thedeor as joined the Vigil, so too should your order join the Guardians."
                   ~~"Theology of the Vigil" Book (Artifact reward)



References: By talking to the people in the Sanctuary of Rebirth and the abbots in Sanctum, you can learn a lot about the individual gods of the Vigil. Also, there's interesting little tidbits scattered here and there within the artifact sets and with dimension items. It's pretty scarce though, so I just elaborated on the small points that I found. As always, this information and anything related to Rift belongs to Trion, not me!